Frequently Asked Questions
Q,
What is BargainPHV.com?
A,
London's first LIVE interactive PHV/cab request & booking service. Airport
transfer passengers can now get a
legally licensed car/mpv at a fixed price to or from any London Airport. You can
Request
a PHV without entering your personal details or Book a LIVE PHV by entering your
basic contact details, name, phone & email details.
If
you are flying within 5 days and need a car transfer service then use BargainPHV
to get
Q, How can I tell if I'm getting a licensed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) and Private Hire Driver (PHD)?
A,
The PHV has two distinctive yellow discs on the top right-hand corner of the
vehicle front & back
A, The PHD has a photographic ID badge with name, serial number and expiry date in a plastic seal
Q, How can I be sure the Private Hire Operator (PHO) is currently licensed?
A, Firstly I check this website http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/taxisandprivatehire/ph/licensing/ as to the PHOs validity. You can also check this at time of booking. Secondly, the PHO enters into a legally binding agreement with BargainPHV
Q, What are your prices?
A, All our prices are based on vehicle types with fixed fares going to or from any London Airport. As long as your collection address/delivery address is within London's M25 these fares apply.
Heathrow - £33 Saloon, £37 Estate, £40 MPV5, £45, MPV6 & £53 Transit 7/8 people/luggage
Stansted - £33 Saloon, £37 Estate, £40 MPV5, £45, MPV6 & £53 Transit 7/8 people/luggage
Gatwick - £33 Saloon, £37 Estate, £40 MPV5, £45, MPV6 & £53 Transit 7/8 people/luggage
Luton - £33 Saloon, £37 Estate, £40 MPV5, £45, MPV6 & £53 Transit 7/8 people/luggage
London City - £33 Saloon, £37 Estate, £40 MPV5, £45, MPV6 & £53 Transit 7/8 people/luggage
Q, Are you not a mini-cab or minicab?
A,
Not anymore. Legislation was created in
Q, What is the difference between PHVs and London taxi cabs?
A, London taxi cabs must take the customer the direct route (shortest distance) and be metered for both journey and time. A PHV charge's either a fixed fare or per mile and can take you either the quickest or direct route dependant on prevailing traffic conditions.
PHVs want to get you to your destination ASAP whereas London black taxi cabs make more money the longer you are in the cab (traffic jams).
Q, Why BargainPHV?
Low cost alternative to black cabs/taxi’s when arriving inAffordable
return trips for With 100s of PHV’s dropping off people at all You
are doing your bit for the environment. By utilizing an existing PHV on the
road who already has a fare for one-half of their journey. Your custom will
stop another PHV being used just for your trip.
Approximately
90% of all PHV airport journeys only operate at 50% capacity
Q, I live outside the UK can I request a PHV? A, YES, The PHO will most probably email you first depending on
where in the world you live. When you send your details make sure you have
access to your email as your request will only be active for 15 minutes. Please
read below. Q, How does the BargainPHV service work? A,
Firstly look at the airport collections/arrivals pages. If you see a PHV that
meets your passenger/luggage & time requirements click on the request
button and enter your details. When you send your contact details you will
return to the main screen and see your choice of PHV turn red informing the PHO
of your request. See below when the PHO
receives your booking request: KEYs: CC=Credit Card
|
Airport |
PHV
Type - Passenger & Luggage Limits |
Departure
Time |
Date |
Final
Destination |
Payment |
Request
|
|
City |
Transit7/8 -
7 passengers + 7 Luggage £53 |
14:00 |
04/02/2008 |
|
Cash/CC |
wait.. |
The PHO has 15 minutes to respond to your request and upon doing so will notify us by confirming whether the booking has been accepted. If your booking is successful then BargainPHV will get confirmation from the PHO and three emails are sent, one to BargainPHV, one to you and the other to the PHO. The vehicle will be automatically removed from the screen and you need do nothing more.
If your request was unanswered or declined by the PHO then the private hire vehicle will remain available on the BargainPHV.com website until expiry. See below.
KEYs: CC=Credit Card
|
Airport |
PHV Type - Passenger & Luggage Limits |
Departure Time |
Date |
Final Destination |
Payment |
Request |
|
City |
Transit7/8 - 7 passengers + 7 Luggage £53 |
14:00 |
04/02/2008 |
|
Cash/CC |
Request |
Q, How much time do the Private Hire Operators (PHO's) allow to get to the airport?
|
Origination |
PHV Type-Passenger & Luggage Limits |
FinalPickUpTime |
Date |
Airport Destination |
Payment Type |
Request |
|
|
MPV6 - 6 passengers + 6 Luggage £45 |
14:00 |
05/02/2008 |
|
Cash |
Request |
The above shows a PHV leaving South London to go to
Guidance notes for FinalPickUpTime’s. The PHO’s will always leave between one and half to two hours travelling time to get to the airports.
Q, Why can't I book directly with BargainPHV?
A, BargainPHV is purely a marketing conduit between potential customers and licensed PHOs. The law prohibits unlicensed companies/vehicles/drivers to engage in hire & reward bookings.
Q, What if the PHO's vehicle is going to East London but I want to go to Central London should I still request the PHV?
A, Yes, when you are looking for a PHV always look for those vehicles that are going in your direction this gives you a better chance of securing a BargainPHV.
Q, What if the PHO's vehicle only goes half-way to my destination. For Example; The PHV final destination is Central London and I want to go to East London. Should I try and book the PHV?
A, You can try to book it but, the PHO is only obliged to take you as far as Central London for the fixed fare. You will have to pay a surcharge for the rest of the journey to East London.
Q, How do I know which Private Hire Driver (PHD) is mine at the airport?
A, The PHO will tell the PHD your name, where you are going, how many people being collected and any other information requested by you to be passed onto the PHD.
The PHD will display your name on a board. When you see this approach the PHD and follow this procedure: ask to see the PHD's badge, ask the PHD where you are going, ask for the PHO's name, when you get to the PHV check for the yellow disc's and if all is ok?, confirm the price. If you have a problem call the PHO for assistance.
Q, What if I'm Disabled or a member of my party is Disabled?
A, Remember to consider the vehicle space required to make your journey a pleasant experience. You must also inform the PHO of any special arrangements/requirements for your collection. All PHO's are bound by law to accept bookings from disabled passengers.
Q, I'm arriving in London for the first time and not sure where in London my destination is, Can you assist me?
A, Yes. Please read below and if you are still uncertain please email us.
Below
are just a few of the main areas of
Central London – West End, Paddington,
Kings Cross,
E London – Upton Park, Canning
NE London – Wansted, Forest Gate, Walthamstow,
Leytonstone,
N London – Islington,
NW
SW London –
SE London – Elephant & Castle, New Cross, Peckham,
Lewisham,
Q, What Payment Types are accepted by the PHO's?
A, It depends on the PHO, but the website will advise you in advance if the PHV offered is either cash or credit/debit card or both. If paying by credit card most PHO's charge processing fees so be prepared to pay a little extra.
Security: NEVER, NEVER send your credit card details via email. When the PHO calls you, they will go through a security check with you, then you can pay for the PHV over the phone.
Q, Do touts exist at the airports?
A, Yes, touts operate at all London's Airports and if you've already paid for your PHV with your Credit Card then you should be safe from them.
BE WARNED: some touts may claim to be your driver and take you to their unlicensed car. ***check for the yellow discs on the PHV & ask to see the PHD's badge, finally ask the driver where you are going - DO NOT TELL THE DRIVER WHERE YOU ARE GOING. The PHD is always told where the client is going by the PHO***
*** Cross-Check the details that the PHO gave you with the PHD and you will be ok ***
If you have any doubts or concerns then contact the PHO before getting into any vehicle. Don't be impatient be Safe!
Q, What if I'm paying Cash?
A, When approached by the PHD, ask to see their badge, ask the PHD where YOU are going, ask for the PHO's name, when you get to the PHV check for the yellow disc's, if all is ok?. Confirm the price. If in doubt call the PHO for clarification before you get into the vehicle.
Q, Should I have a grievance with the PHO can BargainPHV assist me?
A, If it relates to unanswered requests or overcharging then yes. BargainPHV can assist in resolving your issues with the PHO. Remember issues relating to lateness and drivers must be directed towards the PHO.
